11/3/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 3, 2003
The Duquesne University men's soccer team is back in the national rankings for the second time this season as they are ranked 21st in the country this week by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in the NSCAA/adidas Top 25 poll. The Dukes are also ranked second in the NSCAA Middle Atlantic Region rankings, their highest showing in the program's nine-year history. The Red and Blue are the only Atlantic 10 team in the top 25 and trail only 10th-ranked Fairleigh Dickinson in the regional rankings.
The Dukes went unbeaten this weekend on a two-game road trip to Ohio, defeating previously ranked Dayton, 3-1 on Friday and Xavier, 3-0 on Sunday. The Dukes improved their record to 12-3-2 overall, and 7-2-1 in the Atlantic 10 and clinched their second straight berth in the Atlantic 10 Championship tournament. The Red and Blue are currently tied with Temple for second place with 22 points, trailing Richmond's 24 points and 7-0-3 league record. A Duquesne win at St. Bonaventure on Saturday, coupled with losses by Richmond and Temple, will ensure the Dukes their first ever Atlantic 10 regular season crown.
Senior forward Damien Pottinger (Scarborough, Ontario/Mother Teresa) leads the Dukes in scoring with 11 goals and four assists for 26 points while sophomore forward Steve Mellor (Langhorne, PA/Neshaminy (Appalachian State) is next with 18 points on seven goals and four assists. Both players share the team lead with four game-winning goals. Freshman goalkeeper Zach Varga (Mountville, PA/Hempfield) leads the Atlantic 10 Conference with a 0.71 goals against average and has posted six shutouts.
The Dukes conclude the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 8 at St. Bonaventure before traveling to Richmond for the Atlantic 10 Championship, Nov. 13-16.
